Jay Zuccato thinks Guelph is ready to HEAL.
In roughly a month, the Hamilton fitness model and business owner, will open HEAL, a 'plant-based wellness store,' on Wyndham Street with co-founder and childhood friend Jesse Davidson.
“We just feel like with what we’re doing, Guelph is the perfect demographic and environment, especially from the eco-friendly side of things,” said Zuccato, president and co-founder of HEAL.
“I think there are people who are very on point with what needs to happen in the future with sustainability and all that.”
The store features smoothies, smoothie bowls and waffles, all of which are plant-based, affordable and, says Zuccato, super healthy.
“We don't call ourselves a vegan establishment. In theory, everything we offer is vegan. We don't have any meat or dairy in any of our products,” said Zuccato.
“We focus on utilizing the plant-based word because we want to be more inclusive to everybody in all types of diets.”
It will be their second location. HEAL kicked off its first location in Hamilton nearly two years ago.
“We just didn’t see anybody else offer quick served plant-based food items like this, especially in Canada. Especially in Ontario,” said Zuccato.
He said the two felt like there was a need and that people today would appreciate quick and easy access to healthy food.
Zuccato said HEAL has received tremendous support from the community and the support allowed the business to expand to Guelph. He said during the pandemic, about 40 per cent of sales have been through delivery.
“Our goal is for people to eat more plant-based food and understand that there are alternatives to items with dairy and meat that taste just as good,” said Zuccato.
Opening a location in Guelph is also sentimental for Zuccato. The 25-year-old Hamilton resident has some Royal City roots.
“My grandmother passed away a little while ago and she loved Guelph and so I thought it would be kind of a cool honour to do a second store in Guelph and make her proud,” said Zuccato.
In the summer months, the restaurant is looking into sourcing local food.
He said the business has continued to focus its advertising on social media and regularly showcases its friendly vibe and colourful, healthy products with the most popular product being the smoothie bowl.
Zuccato says the team plans to expand its menu in the near future starting with Guelph launching healthy plant-based burgers, milkshakes and fries with no grease. Everything will be air baked and fried.
Zuccato said the store has also seen a lot of interest in their products from people in Guelph.
“We can't wait. We’re super excited to meet everyone and get to know the community better, build there and offer people products that they’re really going to enjoy.”
HEAL plans to open on 118 Wyndham Street. The official opening date has not yet been announced.
Zuccato said the store plans on hosting a grand opening once the weather gets warmer after a soft launch in March.
